Secrets of Shamanism

Jose AIID LENA STEVENS 79

Mentally greet the spirit animal and allow the feeling of

that animal to flow through you. Let yourself become that

animal by repositioning your body in a posture that that ani-

mal would take: a turtle would creep, a lion would crouch, a

bird would hop or fly. Make sounds that the animal would

make.

Become the animal to the best of your ability, just as if

you were a five-year-old. Enjoy the feeling of vigor, grace, or

power that the animal has. See with that animal's eyes.

When you feel the power ebbing, thank the animal and

return to your usual posture. Open your eyes. Later, as a

child would, you might try to draw the animal as it appeared

to you or sculpt it in clay.

Exercise #4: The Steps

1. Relax and close your eyes.


2. Greet the spirit animal.


3. Assume the posture of the spirit animal.


4. Become the spirit animal. Assume its qualities.


5. Thank the animal, return to your posture, open
   your eyes.

How POWER ANIMALS HELP YOU
When you establish a regular relationship with one or sev-
eral power animals, you can call upon them at will to advise
and assist you. The usual mode of communication is through
shamanic imaging or internal listening. They talk to you in
words or they use symbols that you decode.
You can call upon their assistance for:

• Extra vigor for an interview, a meeting, or an athletic
  event. Creative ideas for a writing project, artwork, or
  brainstorming about anything.


• Directions to find a lost object such as keys or a wallet, a
  missing person, or someone you have lost contact with.


• Prevention from contracting disease in a risky area. Help
  with recovery from an illness or cold.


• Protection from thugs or muggers; guardianship over your
  car when you have to leave it in a bad part of town; guard-
  ianship over your home when you leave on a trip; protec-
  tion in travel—automobile—airplane—boat.